Thousands of visitors heading to the International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight in Ayr will have more rail services to choose from, after ScotRail announced an enhanced timetable for the event on Saturday, September 5.
The operator is adding 178 carriages across Ayrshire compared with its normal Saturday timetable. The increase is intended to provide additional capacity as tens of thousands of people travel to the Low Green from across the country.
More trains between Glasgow and Ayr
ScotRail will run three trains an hour between Glasgow Central and Ayr. That timetable will include an hourly express service calling at Paisley Gilmour Street, Johnstone and Kilwinning.
Stopping services will also operate, serving communities across Ayrshire. Additional shuttle trains will run between Kilwinning and Ayr before and after the airshow, giving passengers travelling from Irvine, Barassie, Troon, Prestwick and Newton-on-Ayr more seats.
The extra services mean visitors from those towns and surrounding communities will have additional options for reaching Ayr and leaving after the event. Passengers are being asked to plan their journeys in advance and make sure they have a valid ticket before boarding.
Kilmarnock services affected by improvement works
People travelling from the Kilmarnock area face a different arrangement because of planned improvement works. Trains between Kilmarnock and Girvan or Stranraer will operate only between Ayr and Girvan or Stranraer.
Rail replacement buses will run between Kilmarnock and Ayr. ScotRail said more buses than usual would be provided to increase capacity for airshow passengers travelling to and from the event.
Queues expected at Glasgow Central and Ayr station
A queuing system will be introduced at Glasgow Central before the event to help manage the large number of people travelling to Ayr. A second queuing system will operate at Ayr station after the airshow.
Passengers should allow extra time for their journey and follow directions from ScotRail staff at both stations. The arrangements are designed to help manage demand at the busiest points of the trip, particularly before the event in Glasgow and after the display in Ayr.
With express, stopping and shuttle services running alongside replacement buses, the railway operator is advising passengers not to leave travel arrangements until the day. Checking the enhanced timetable in advance, buying a valid ticket and allowing time for queues will be important for anyone using public transport to attend the Low Green event.
